Macaulay Culkin Reveals What REALLY Happened at Michael Jackson’s Neverland – dw

What happened at the house? That’s what all these things that people are concerned about. You know, nothing happened. You know, I mean nothing really. I mean we played video games, you know, we we you know, played it at some amusement park. Well, the thing is the thing is with that whole thing is that you know, they’re all you slept in the same bedroom as him.

It’s like I don’t think you understand. Michael Jackson’s bedroom is two stories. [laughter] And it has like like three bathrooms and this and that. So, when I slept in his bedroom, yeah, but you have to understand the whole scenario. And the thing is with Michael is that he’s not very good at explaining himself and he never really has been cuz he’s not a very social person.

I mean he’s you’re talking about someone who’s been sheltered and sheltering himself also for the last like 30 years or you know, and so For years, the world thought it knew the story. A famous child actor, a famous pop star, a sprawling ranch full of rides and animals, and a question that has followed one of the most talked about friendships in entertainment history for over two decades.

Did anything happen to Macaulay Culkin at Neverland? Culkin has answered that question more times than almost anyone would want to in a lifetime, under oath, in front of cameras, in interviews years later when he had absolutely nothing left to gain or lose, and every single time his answer has not changed.

Thing is I didn’t react to him the way most people did. Most people like, “Michael Jackson.” And you know, I mean he was a god to people and to me he was, you know, I knew he was a pop singer but beyond that, you know, I didn’t I wasn’t one of the fans. I think that’s one of the reasons why we connected was the fact that I you know, I believe me, I call him a jerk all the time.

I call him a fat head and a this and a that, you know, and he gets it. too. Yeah, yeah, I know we all did. I mean he was, you know, a family friend. Before we get into the courtroom, it helps to understand how this friendship even started because it explains a lot about why Culkin’s family was so tied up in this story in the first place.

Michael Jackson and Macaulay Culkin met in 1990, right around the time Culkin’s career was exploding after Home Alone. Jackson reportedly reached out first. He was a fan of the film and the two struck up a friendship that lasted the the of Jackson’s life. Culkin wasn’t just a random kid Jackson met once. He became a regular presence in Jackson’s world and Jackson became a regular presence in the Culkin family’s world, too.

Well, off to the show. Super soakers are are really high-tech. They got some really great ones now. This is Max’s older brother, Shane. Okay, this is We’re preparing the water balloon fight. That’s an important detail a lot of people leave out. This wasn’t a case of a child showing up alone.

Culkin’s parents and siblings were frequently involved. They traveled with him, stayed at the ranch with him, and by all accounts treated Jackson as someone close to their family. And then, they started hanging out in Neverland. They used to play different games in the ranch and Michael Jackson enjoyed the time like a kid.

In fact, he became one in the company of Culkin, showing his innocence. Moreover, Michael Jackson and Macaulay Culkin once pulled an epic chaotic prank on director John Landis. It happened right after wrapping the iconic Black or White music video. Landis had been lightheartedly teasing the duo all week, so they decided to pay him back.

Michael distracted Landis by giving a formal fake thank you speech to him. But while Landis was listening intently, Culkin quietly sneaked up from behind and slammed a massive pie directly into the director’s face. In appreciation for working on the Black or White short film, we like to say thank you and we love you and we think And John, and John, a wonderful job.

And in June, 1991, Michael Jackson and Macaulay Culkin took a famous week-long vacation to Bermuda, which Jackson later described as a trip full of light-hearted mischief and childhood fun. Here, here, here, Mac. Our We’re in Bermuda and we’re looking for something interesting, treasure. Mac and I would go on vacation together and Mac is very smart and and he’s very ingenious in in causing trouble.

But it’s his it’s his idea. Yes, so I’m not going to tell him to do And we were in Bermuda together and uh we were signing water balloons. He He had me signing water balloons. And he was throwing these balloons at the fans on the balcony. They loved it. They wanted more. They were asking for more. But Mac’s throwing it.

So I was signing these balloons and he kept throwing them. This balloon is autographed. I’m signing them, he’s throwing them, and that’s what we did. But Neverland itself was built to be a kid’s fantasy, a working amusement park complete with a Ferris wheel, a carousel, bumper cars, a movie theater, and a private zoo with elephants, giraffes, and chimpanzees.

Jackson opened it up regularly to sick children through organizations like Make a Wish, and it became something of an open house for celebrities, their kids, and Jackson’s own extended circle of young friends. This is the version of Neverland that Culkin says he actually experienced, rides, games, a place that felt, in his words over the years, like being a kid at a permanent carnival with a friend who happened to be the biggest pop star on the planet.

Mac is the most reckless driver. Oh my god. You almost killed him. This is his brother Kieran on the back. Did you see that, Lee? [laughter] Your foot is way over. They’re good kids, though. I didn’t know I done that, Lee. This is what he did. Look, he had the camera and he went [laughter] Now, here’s where the story most people know actually begins.

In 2003, Michael Jackson was charged with multiple counts related to misconduct following allegations made by a 13-year-old boy named Gavin Arvizo, the case went to trial in 2005 in Santa Barbara County, and it became one of the most heavily covered criminal trials in American history. Because Culkin had spent so much time at Neverland as a child, and because prosecutors were trying to establish a pattern of behavior, he was called as a defense witness. This was a massive moment.

Culkin had mostly stepped out of the public eye by this point. He wasn’t doing the press circuit, he wasn’t chasing headlines, but he showed up in person and testified under oath. Macaulay Culkin wrapped up his testimony in Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial, and he told jurors he had never been molested by the superstar.

So, what did he actually say? Culkin testified that nothing inappropriate ever happened to him at Neverland, not once. He described the ranch as having what he called an open-door policy, meaning family members, friends, and other guests were constantly coming and going. This wasn’t some isolated, locked-away environment.

People were around all the time. After Macaulay Culkin arrived and left the courthouse here in Santa Maria with very little fanfare. His testimony didn’t last too long. In a very clear and strong voice, he told the jury Michael Jackson never touched him inappropriately. He also said, quote, “I never saw him act improper with anybody.

” Culkin at one time had a very close relationship with the pop star. The two traveled together, they spent a lot of time together at Jackson’s ranch, and today many observers saying Culkin’s testimony was powerful for the defense. It’s hard to imagine there being a better witness for Michael Jackson than Macaulay Culkin.

I mean, he not only answered certain questions about whether or not he was molested by Michael Jackson, and he affirmatively said no, but he also gave us the clearest, and I think the most succinct window into the mind of Michael Jackson. And today, that just hasn’t happened. Culkin did face a somewhat aggressive cross-examination by prosecutor Ron Zonen.

Culkin did say yes, he shared a bed with Michael Jackson, but he described it as more like falling asleep on Jackson’s bed. The prosecution then attempting to try and suggest that perhaps Jackson molested Culkin while he was sleeping. Prosecutor’s own and saying, “So, as far as you know, you were never molested while you were awake.

” Culkin’s response, “As far as I know, I was never molested by Michael Jackson.” And right now, the defense is playing portions of a video that was taken from Michael Jackson’s personal cameraman during the filming of the Martin Bashir documentary Living with Michael Jackson. Natalie, that is of course the documentary that sparked the investigation that led to this criminal trial.

He also testified about the sleeping arrangements that had become such a huge part of the public conversation around Jackson. Culkin said his parents were fully aware of how the sleeping situations worked when he stayed at the ranch and that they never once expressed concern about it. Macaulay Culkin took the stand for the defense. He was our second witness.

Right. Fabulous witness for Michael Jackson. Right. I remember they did the He was in the Black or White video. At one point, I guess the two of them had a close relationship. They were very dear friends. Uh I met with Macaulay the night before I called him as a witness.

I met with he and his New York lawyer. He’d got an entertainment lawyer with him. And the lawyer was nervous as can be. Mhm. And about what this might do to his career and what it might do to him. And he was very concerned about his client, which I understand completely. Macaulay, on the other hand, was so confident, so convinced he was doing the right thing, and so adamant that he was never molested, that he was never put in a compromising position by Michael Jackson, that Michael Jackson was his close friend, that they both came up as

child stars and they knew the rigors and the pressures of being a child star. And he said, “This is my friend. I’m testifying for him. This This stuff never happened.” Jackson’s lead defense attorney at the time was Tom Mesereau, and Mesereau has spoken publicly many times since about how significant Culkin’s testimony actually was for the defense.

Having someone with Culkin’s level of fame and credibility willing to sit in front of a jury and flatly deny that anything ever happened carried real weight in that courtroom. Remember, the prosecution called witnesses to say they saw Macaulay being molested in Neverland by Michael. Hmm. Macaulay gets on the stand and says he never did anything at any time.

We’re dear friends. We share a lot. We have a lot in common. He would never do a thing like this. And well, by the way, let me say this also. I meet with Macaulay and his lawyer that evening. The next morning I get up. I’m getting dressed for court. I turn on the television and here’s the one of the major networks and their reporter is saying, “We’ve learned that Macaulay Culkin is not going to show up to court today.

That his agents, his producers, his directors, his lawyers are all telling him he has nothing to gain and he has refused to testify.” And here I was with him the night before knowing full well I’m calling him to the stand that day. That just tells you what happens when you look at the media and when you’re dealing with reality as opposed to the media.

On June 13th, 2005, the jury acquitted Michael Jackson on all 10 counts against him, including the charges of misconduct, conspiracy, and administering an intoxicating agent to a minor. The trial had lasted around 5 months and involved dozens of witnesses. Culkin’s testimony was one piece of a much larger case, but it was one of the most talked about moments of the entire proceeding simply because of who he was.

Here’s the thing that makes Culkin’s story different from a lot of other people connected to Jackson. He didn’t just testify once in 2005 and disappear. He kept getting asked about it for the rest of his career and his answer never moved. But we have to cover it, so let’s ask about it.

What’s the relationship that you had with Michael Jackson? Uh had or have? I mean, it’s kind of you know, whatever. Let’s go with had. Listen, you know, no, he’s just he’s a good friend of mine and he still is. I mean, everything that’s going on, I mean, it’s unfortunate. It’s an unfortunate situation for for everyone involved and you know, I How did you first get to meet him? Uh I first met him he kind of called me randomly, like out of the blue.

He just kind of like, “Hi, it’s Michael.” And I was like, “Hey.” And the thing is Was this after Home Alone? This is after Home Alone. I had actually had met him before I was doing um Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. I was playing Fritz and he came backstage one day and I I actually met him very briefly and he kind of recognized me cuz it was after I’d done Uncle Buck and so he kind of mentioned something and then he calls me up kind of out of the blue.

It’s kind of just this weird random thing and he was like, “Why don’t you come over to my house?” And sort of, you know, and so he’s not very good at communicating to people and not very good at conveying what he’s actually trying to say to you. And so when he says something like that, you know, people, you know, he doesn’t quite understand why people react the way that they do.

Why do you think he likes young people so It’s because it cuz the same reason why he liked me was the fact that I didn’t care who he was. That was the thing. I talked to him like he was a normal human being and that’s what and and kids do that to him because he’s not I mean, he’s Michael Jackson the pop singer, but he’s not the god of, you know, the king of pop or anything like that.

He’s just, you know, a guy who’s actually very kid-like himself and wants to go out there and he wants to play video games with you and things like that. it? Um I they weren’t against it. You know, it wasn’t like they encouraged it or like pushing me upon it. It was just kind of like I wanted to hang out with him and they were fine with it.

In a 2020 interview with Esquire, more than a decade after Jackson had passed away, Culkin was asked directly about the allegations again. By this point, Jackson was gone. There was no relationship left to protect, no career favor being called in, nothing Culkin owed anyone and he said this, “Look, I’m going to begin with the line.

It’s not a lie. It’s the truth. He never did anything to me. I never saw him do anything and especially at this flash point in time, I’d have no reason to hold anything back. The guy has passed on.” He continued addressing directly why he felt comfortable speaking now if there was ever anything to reveal. If anything, I’m not going to say it would be stylish or anything like that.

But right now is a good time to speak up. And if I had something to speak up about, I would totally do it. But no, I never saw anything. He never did anything. That’s a pretty striking thing to sit with. Culkin is essentially saying the opposite of what someone protecting a friend’s reputation out of loyalty would typically do.

He’s pointing out that Jackson was already dead. That there was nothing left to gain from staying quiet. And that speaking up would have actually been the easier, more publicly accepted thing to do at that point in time. And he still said no, nothing happened. But Culkin wasn’t the only child star who spent time around Michael Jackson and has spoken about it publicly.

A handful of other well-known names from that era have shared their own accounts, and it’s worth hearing them in their own words, too. Corey Feldman, who grew up in the industry around the same time and had his own well-documented history of surviving mistreatment from other people in Hollywood, has spoken at length about his belief in Jackson’s innocence.

Feldman has been open about the fact that he himself was a victim of mistreatment as a child, which makes his repeated defense of Jackson particularly notable. He has said publicly that Jackson never did anything inappropriate to him, and that his experiences with Jackson were nothing like the abuse he suffered elsewhere in the industry.

I would imagine you believe that children are being abused by pedophiles in Hollywood. Absolutely. So, why are you sitting down talking to me? Why aren’t you sitting down with the police right now? I’ve told the police. In fact, if anybody wants to go back to 1993 when I was interviewed by the Santa Barbara Police Department, I sat there and I gave them the names. They’re on record.

They have all of this information, but they were scanning Michael Jackson. All they cared about was trying to find something on Michael Jackson. “By the way, did not have True, Michael was innocent, and that was what the interview was about with the police in 1993. I told them he is not that guy, and they said, “Well, maybe you just don’t understand your friend.

” And I said, “No, I know the difference between pedophiles and somebody who’s not a pedophile because I’ve been molested. Here’s the names. Go investigate. And let me push this forward. There are thousands of people in Hollywood who have the same information. Why is it all on me? Why is it if I don’t release the names in the next 2 months, 6 months, or a year, I’m the bad guy? I’m the victim here.

I’m the one who’s been abused. I’m the one who’s trying to come forward and do something about it. But hold on, please. I’m sorry. There are thousands of people out there, Matt, who have this information. Any one of those child actors that went to the teenage soda pop clubs with me when I was a kid know who those people are and the people who ran it.

Anybody can go back through history and look at the teen magazines and say, “What was the name of that venue they were all promoting?” And who ran that venue and who endorsed it. Feldman has drawn a clear line in his interviews between the people who genuinely hurt him growing up in Hollywood and Jackson, who he insists was not one of them.

Then there are the people who visited Neverland without the same level of scrutiny that Culkin or Feldman faced simply because they were adults visiting as guests rather than kids at the center of allegations. Chris Tucker, who became close with Jackson later in his life, has talked about his first visit to the ranch and what it was like walking into that world for the first time.

Tucker’s account paints Neverland the way a lot of visitors describe it, surreal, larger than life, and genuinely built for fun rather than anything sinister. Tucker was actually one of the people who remained close to Jackson right up until his death in 2009. It was one that he wasn’t there. And Jermaine Jackson took me to Neverland for the first time.

And Michael wasn’t there. Of course, I was looking for him everywhere. Where’s Michael? I told him he said Michael might be here. He said, “No, Michael’s not here.” He said like it was like [laughter] Where’s Michael? Then I had I was in his office doing, you know, just touring, walking around. I think it was one of his offices.

And I spilled some cocoa on his couch. Uh-oh. And I just thought it was the worst thing in the world. What nobody And I was like, “Damn, what did I do? How could I do this? I’ll never be invited back again.” I said, “I can’t believe this.” And I told Jermaine, that’s what you mean.” Guess what I did? I spilled some cocoa on Michael’s car.

She said, “Oh, man, don’t worry about that. You don’t care nothing about that. Come on, let’s go. Let’s go on the Ferris wheel.” He didn’t even He was like I was making a big deal about, you [laughter] know, spilling something cuz that’s how I think I mean Neverland’s so magical and precious.

But, that was my first very first time there and Michael I didn’t meet him, but I might I met Michael later on and then of course I went to Neverland several times. Danny Oliver has also spoken about visiting the property giving another outside account of what the day-to-day atmosphere at the ranch was actually like for guests coming through.

He also talked about the allegations. A huge Michael Jackson fan and you you met him, didn’t you, when you were 14? Yeah, I spent a lot of time with him over a 10-year period. Um and I first met him when I was 14. And so what what what was he like? Well, he was um extremely humble, very sweet, very funny, very very sincere, and just had a a very very gentle, kind energy about him.

Um I spent a lot of time at Neverland. He invited me to Neverland. Um How old were you when you went to Neverland? 19. 19. And um yeah, it it it, you know, when you hear these ridiculous claims that Neverland was supposed to be some kind of place to lure people in, it’s just outrageous.

I’ve seen it for myself. And you know, the second time I went, you know, I actually um I really broke down and cried because I saw all the beautiful things he was doing for, you know, underprivileged people, children, folks of all ages. And it just really broke my heart that, you know, we live in a world where someone who has nothing but kindness and goodwill to offer can be so deliberately misinterpreted.

Kevin Connolly visited Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch in 1998 as a 26-year-old adult, famously partying there alongside other stars. When recounting the experience years later, the Entourage star clarified that it was an incredibly memorable large group visit rather than an intimate gathering.

Kevin Connolly, John D said, “What’s the craziest thing you saw when you visited Michael Jackson at Neverland Ranch as a kid?” Craziest thing I ever saw when I visited Neverland Ranch was um Bubbles. Bubbles? You saw Bubbles at Neverland? I played with Bubbles. No, you were never invited into the private Well, I was I was 26.

So, I was a little I know, but you were very boyish. You looked 12. I was a little out of the age range. So, yeah, but no, the Bubbles was there and there was But there was lots of weirdness. I mean, that’s that’s that’s that’s another show in itself. Save that one for next time. How did you get invited to Neverland? Uh that [laughter] That’s actually That’s actually an easy question.

Um so, Toby, a buddy of mine, used to date Rashida Jones. Yes. And that’s Quincy’s daughter. So, Quincy and Michael Jackson, so we all got invited out. So, there was a like 20 of us. Yes. like nine and like roaming the So, I know. I know. I know. And did you ride the rides? I did. Yes. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

We did the bumper cars and the the Ferris wheel and we, you know, played with the animals [laughter] and such. I know. It sounds so pervy and So, why does all of this keep coming back up? Part of it is simply because Culkin is one of the very few people at the center of this story who was both a child at Neverland and someone whose entire life has played out in public since.

He’s not a minor witness who faded from view. He’s one of the most recognizable child actors of all time, someone whose testimony people actually pay attention to because they know his face and they know his career. And consistency matters, too. From the witness stand in 2005, under oath, with lawyers on both sides able to question him, to a relaxed magazine interview in 2020 with nothing riding on it, Culkin’s account has not shifted.

He’s described the same open-door environment, the same lack of concern from his own parents, and the same flat denial that anything ever happened to him. What reaction has happened to you from all of this? What do you mean? I mean, people How do people people inquire of you a lot about it? Uh sometimes, yeah.

I mean, you know, people always have like their opinions. They always, you know, It’s funny. I mean, people always talk to me about him cuz, you know, I’m one of these people who will tell you anything about my life, really, if you get me going, you know? And so, yeah, I mean, I freely and openly talk about him and stuff like that.

But, overall, you know, he’s just a good friend of mine. wish him well. If you watched till the end, make sure to like the video, subscribe, and turn on notifications.